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Committee retroactively approves San Francisco refugee services plans for FY15–16 and FY16–17
Summary
The Public Safety and Neighborhood Services Committee approved a resolution retroactively endorsing San Francisco’s refugee services plans for federal fiscal years 2015–16 and 2016–17, allocating about $214,000 and $168,000 respectively for employment, ESL and limited older‑adult citizenship services.
The Public Safety and Neighborhood Services Committee on Feb. 22 approved a resolution retroactively endorsing San Francisco’s refugee services plans for federal fiscal years 2015–16 and 2016–17.
Susie Smith, deputy director for policy and planning at the Human Services Agency, told the committee that the FY15–16 allocation totaled $214,000 and FY16–17 totaled $168,000 and that most funds are for newly arrived refugees and asylees who have been in the U.S. eight months or less for employment‑related services, including job search assistance, resume help, vocational education and language instruction. "These plans are prepared for Office of Refugee Resettlement federal funding," Smith said.
Smith said the city contracts with community providers Arriba Juntos and the LEND Institute to deliver services and noted a new component for the current year to identify and serve unaccompanied minors in collaboration with the school district. An HSA refugee coordinator told supervisors the agency created an outreach position with Arriba Juntos and school partners to connect youth 16 and older to employment services and to coordinate with legal services for children.
Clarice Garcia of Arriba Juntos described the nonprofit’s outcomes, saying the organization has served about 300 refugees over 11 years, with 170 successful completions and 145 obtaining subsidized employment. Nancy Rind of the LEND Institute said the program has completion and placement rates above 85 percent and detailed employer partnerships including Mercy Housing.
Smith explained the plans were submitted retroactively because the state Department of Social Services and the federal Office of Refugee Resettlement completed reviews after services had already been provided. "We were directed to spend the money despite the fact that it was still in the review process," she said.
Supervisor Sheehy moved to excuse Supervisor Feuer from voting on the item and then moved to adopt the resolution with a positive recommendation; the committee adopted the item.
The resolution will appear on the Feb. 28 Board of Supervisors agenda for final action.
